Police stop GBL reaching Brisbane streets, man charged over import

Publish date: Wednesday, 30 October 2019, Publish time: 7:59am

A Queensland man is due to face a Brisbane court today (Wednesday, 30 October) charged with importing four kilograms of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), after police intercepted a package of the dangerous liquid precursor chemical referred to as ‘coma in a bottle’.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers from Brisbane arrested the 22-year-old man after executing a search warrant at his family’s Caboolture home yesterday (Tuesday, 29 October), where they seized some of the liquid.

The 22-year-old man has been charged with:

One count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs (being GBL), contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), and

One count of possessing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs (being GBL), contrary to section 307.8 of the Criminal Code 1995 Cth).

Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Matthew Gale said it was the second time this week that police in Brisbane had charged a man over the importation of GBL, an industrial precursor chemical that could be fatal in even tiny doses.

GBL – also known as liquid ecstasy, fantasy or ‘coma in a bottle’ – can have severe side-effects once used and can also lead to drug dependency.

“The use of any illicit substance can have dire outcomes but we want to remind the community of the dangers of this particular drug,” Detective Superintendent Gale said. “Symptoms of GBL use include vomiting, convulsions and comas. In serious cases it can result in death.

“Australian authorities can, and will continue to combat the movement of illicit drugs across international borders.”

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.